Keystone-SDA
Accused of fraud at the Valais AOC, Cédric Flaction appeared on Tuesday before the Cantonal Tribunal Valaisan (TC). Sentenced to the first instance at 42 months in prison in September 2024, the magazine said he was innocent of the main charges.
(Keystone-ATS) Cédric Flaction was once again tried for scam, unfair management, false in titles and false instigation in titles.
According to the accusation (the State of Valais) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the magazine acquired, between 2009 and 2015, more than 730,000 liters of Spanish wines and some 130,000 liters of Schaffhousois wines from two German companies. Purchases he has made up by integrating false invoices in his accounts covering cellar services, bottled or advice.
“If I had known”
As during the trial at first instance, the accused admitted to having made false invoices. However, he challenged the sale of wines under the Valais AOC label, both for Schaffhousois and Espagnol wine.
The president of the court, Camille Rey-Mermet wanted to know why the accused took the risk of buying Spanish wine as an intermediary for companies by Dominique Giroud. “If I had known or imagined what I would give it, I would not have done it,” said Cédric Flaction.
5 -year sentence required
“Do you think you have always served the interests of Valais winegrowers?” “, Also questioned Camille Rey-Mermet. “At the time, I was thinking of helping them by allowing them to earn a better living. Today, I would not do it again. “Cédric Flacton apologized during his hearing” with companies whose name I usurped. »»
During her pleading, the deputy general prosecutor Catherine Seppey said that the accused “did not want to save the wine world (Editor’s note: as he claims). In reality, he wanted above all to increase his fortune, by creating false bills and an opaque system by flooding the downgraded wines market. He has no conscience of the acts he has committed. Catherine Seppey requested a sentence of 5 years of firm prayer.
Several proceedings
For the MP, the product of the offense amounts to 11.8 million francs. The court of first instance had only retained only 1.94 million francs, not taking into account the profits linked to the sale of mixed wines. Catherine Seppey estimated the compensatory claim at 11.8 million francs. The fortune of the fifties, kidnapped by the Valais justice, amounts to approximately 11 million francs.
“This affair” takes a very special resonance in an area (Editor’s note (note. Viticulture) where essential values are confidence and authenticity, “summed up Master Giles Monnier, the lawyer for the Valais service of agriculture, a complainant in this case. “We cannot leave several million francs in the pocket of Mr. Flaction. Otherwise the crime will have benefited him and it would not be acceptable. »»
“A total stay is essential”
Lawyer of Cédric Flaction, Julien Ribordy recalled the absence of a registration in the criminal record of his client. The lawyer has also highlighted, what he considers to be, four violations of the health principle. Clearly, this affair would have dragged too much, she who started in 2014. Julien Ribordy therefore considered that this fact should be a major element of the second instance verdict. “Total stay is essential,” said the lawyer.
And Julien Ribordy added: “My client has also undergone several violations of the right to be heard and equal treatment”. Lawyer and customer only recognize the charm of false in the titles.
On sick leave
The financial situation of Cédric Flaction has been complicated since the fall of 2024. According to the Office of Prosecution and Bankruptcies, these prosecution amounts to 1.04 million francs for two of its companies and more than 277,000 francs at the personal level.
Since September 23, 2024, the accused has been on a work stoppage, first 100% and then 60% until today. The media benefits linked to the trial at first instance would not be foreign there, according to Me Julien Ribordy.
“I would like to thank my parents, my wife and I hope that this day put an end to eight years of ordeal for me and for my family,” said Cédric Flaction, in the middle of the afternoon.
The verdict will be rendered later.
